Doing Deals and Leading Teams at XAF Partners

Abstract

Private equity firm XAF Partners, created out of the 2003 merger of Shanghai-based Xuan Partners and AF Group, a spin out of the Shanghai-based, emerging market-focused private equity arm of a large European bank, had grown steadily over the last decade, establishing offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Seoul and Singapore. At the end of their day-long partners' retreat, several firm partners discuss the challenges they face as they juggle three roles in their business life: deal makers in their own sectors; managers of younger associates and directors across their sector teams; and as leaders in their young but successful firm.

Related Work

Private equity firm XAF Partners had grown steadily over the last decade, establishing offices across Asia. At the end of their day-long partners' retreat, several firm partners discuss the challenges they face as "producing managers." These include collaboration and delegation; compensation; development; giving feedback; and time-pressure. This teaching note explores each of these challenges in turn.

Private equity firm XAF Partners, created out of the 2003 merger of Shanghai-based Xuan Partners and AF Group, a spin out of the Shanghai-based, emerging market-focused private equity arm of a large European bank, had grown steadily over the last decade, establishing offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Seoul and Singapore. At the end of their day-long partners' retreat, several firm partners discuss the challenges they face as they juggle three roles in their business life: deal makers in their own sectors; managers of younger associates and directors across their sector teams; and as leaders in their young but successful firm.

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